Ovarian cancer can frequently show some signs, but if you do not know to recognize them, it may silently cause extremely serious consequences. Therefore, you need to know its symptoms:

Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating

Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain (Pain in the abdomen and below)

Frequent or urgent need for urination

Changes in bowel movements

Feeling tired or low energy

At times, other symptoms may appear as well such as loss of appetite, changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue (feeling very tired) or unexplained weight loss. Moreover, note that any post-menopausal bleeding is a reason to visit your GP.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be:

Persistent – they last and don’t go away

New – they are not normal for you and may have started in the last year

Frequent – they usually happen more than 12 times a month

Hence, if you experience these sings often and they are not normal for you, you should visit your GP. They are probably not linked to a serious health issue, but you need to consult a professional.

Nevertheless, you need to remember that frequent urination, bloating, pain in the tummy and always feeling full could all indicate ovarian cancer. Therefore, you need to take care of your health and it is advisable to keep a diary, in order to accurately note the symptoms, how frequently they appear, and give all the important information to your GP.

Moreover, note down if you think the symptoms are gradually getting worse, or if they are stopping you from doing an activity that you would normally be involved in.

It is of great importance to talk to your GP and explain all the symptoms that are new to you. Moreover, it is crucial to inform him if two or more relatives in your close family have had ovarian or breast cancer.

Ovarian cancer can show similar symptoms as other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, you need to check the cause of them, so if the symptoms do not stop, seek a second opinion, even if you have had tests.